Clamp



I 16 2 July 5,1927. a BOWE I 34,53

CLAMP Filed Aug. 6. 1923 [nu/e7; {or DEN/f f. 50 WE Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DENIS E. BOVE, OF WASECA, MINNESOTA.

CLAMP.

Application filed August 6,1923. Serial No. 655,883.

Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in clamps and is more par ticularly. directed to clamps adapted to grlp and thereby support objectsand to the pro duction of a clamp which is durable, light in weight, strong in construction, simple and efficient in operation, and which comprises few parts that may be inexpensively 3ro-' i been disclosed a structure designed-to carry out the objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the as sembled clamp in gripping position;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the clamp in open position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the clamp in the position shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail vlew in plan of the spring and integral loop.

In the selected embodiment of this invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings the clamp comprises a pair of aws whichare preferably not integral with each other. For convenience of description, the jaws may be referred to as the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12. The two jaws are adapted to be-pivotally connected together. A simple mode of effecting such hinged or pivoted connection is by means of the pintle or pivot pin 13 which is adapted to be received within the tubular extension 10' of the upper and lower jaws as is common in the hinge art. The pivot pin 13 extends laterally beyond the two aws and is preferably flattened which efiectually prevents the accidental removal of the pin and separation of the jaws;

The jaws are adapted normally'to be held apart in the open position shown in Figure 2. This is tensionably accomplished by This novel form of means 'of a'spring. spring 1s preferably form-ed from a single piece of wire shaped to providea cylindrical coil 14 from the central portion of which projects the integral loop 15 by which the clamp may be hung upon a nail. T The two ends 16 and 17 of the spring extend from oppositeends of the coil. In assembled position, the pivot. pin 18 passes throughthe coil 'while the loop. 15 extends beyond the jaws and the two ends of the spring rest against the inner faces of the two jaws. The tension of the spring-is such that the two ends tend to assume a position substantially at'right angles to each other so. as yieldably to hold the jaws in the open position suggested in Figure 2. i

I The end of each jaw opposite its pivotally connected end is turned substantially at a right angle to the plane of the jaw and is provided with a plurality of teeth 18'. The teeth of the two jaws are complementarily formed and are adapted to cooperate efi'ectually to grip an object placed therebetween.

The jaws of this novel clamp may be inexpensively made of sheet-metal and the strength and rigidity of each jaw is increased by angularly turning the marginal portions of each jaw. The turned marginal edges have a function in addition to reinforcement of the jaws. They provide bearings or surfaces for engagement by a member movable upon the jaws to effect open-- ing and closing of the jaws.

Such operative member is shown as an endless metallic strip 19 which embraces both jaws. This strip may have the jaws inserted therein before the pivot pin is inserted in position because thereafter the laterally extending flattened portions of the pin 13 prevent accidental demounting or removal of this member. The toothed portions of the two jaws are transversely widened or extended both to prevent removal of the member at this end and to afford a greater width of gripping portion.

One of the jaws provides a cam surface whereby the member may wedge the two jaws vinto closed gripping position as is shown inFigure 1. To this end, the edges of the marginal turned portions of the upper jaw 11 are shaped to be outwardly dito the plane of the lower jaw 12. Hence, as the strip member is moved away from the pivotally connected ends of the jaws, the jaws are gradually forced together, the strip member reaching its maximum forward movement in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 8. In such movement, the strip cooperates with the divergent jaw edges to wedge the jaws toward and into closed position.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters-Patent, is

1. A clamp comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaws movable to and from clamping position, a member surrounding both jaws and movable thereon, one of the jaws having marginal portions angularly projecting from the jaw and the outer edges of said portion providing cam surfaces for engagement by'said member whereby the jaws may be moved to clamping position.

2. A clamp comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaws each jaw having outwardly turned longitudinal marginal portions, the edges of said portions of one jaw being shaped to diverge from the plane of the jaw away from the pivotal connection, and a member adapted to engage the edges of said marginal portions whereby upon movement of the member away from said pivotal connection, the aws will be moved to clampmg position.

3. A clamp comprising a pair of aws pivotally connected together at one end, each jaw having outwardly turned longitudinal narginal portions, the edges of said portions of one jaw being substantially parallel to the plane of the jaw and the edges of said portions of the other aw being substantially outwardly divergent therefrom, and a member adapted to engage said edges and movable away from said pivotal connection whereby the jaws will be moved to clamping position.

t. A clamp oomprising'a pair of sheet metal jaws pivotally connected together, one of said jaws having marginal sections angularly bent from the plane of the sheet metal, said bent sections being shaped so that the edges are outwardly inclined from the jaw pivot, to provide cam surfaces, and a member surrounding both j aws' and movable thereon to cooperate with said cam surfaces to move the jaws to clamping position.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of August, 1923.

DENIS E. BOVVE. 

